Indonesian Ulemas Council (MUI) has declared two meningitis vaccines from China and Switzerland are halal or not forbidden for Muslim, but has forbidden the one from Belgium, Secretary General of the council Ichwan Sam said here Tuesday.

Meningitis vaccine is used by Muslims in Indonesia, the world's biggest Muslim country, before travelling to perform Haj to Saudi Arabia as it is required by the government of Saudi Arabia.

The secretary said that a team from the council have visited the countries where the vaccines were manufactured and did not find any compound containing pig products, which is not allowed by Islamic law to consume.

The two vaccines are produced by Swiss company Novartis and Chinese company Tian Yuana.

Meningitis is inflammation of the protective membranes covering the brain and spinal cord. The inflammation may be caused by infection with viruses, bacteria or other microorganism.

Saudi Arabia obligates all Haj pilgrims and those traveling to the country during the haj period to be vaccinated against the disease, which can kill or severely disable people in a very short period.